ASUS RT-AX86U Pro Review: The Best Router for Gaming

The ASUS RT-AX86U Pro takes the already excellent AX86U and adds a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, making it one of the most future-proof gaming routers available. If you have (or plan to get) a multi-gigabit internet plan, this router won't be the bottleneck.

Gaming Features

ASUS includes several gaming-specific features:

• Adaptive QoS: Automatically prioritizes gaming traffic over other devices
• Game Boost: Uses WTFast to optimize routing paths to game servers
• Gaming VPN: Per-device VPN with OpenVPN and WireGuard support
• Mobile Game Mode: Prioritizes mobile gaming traffic

Performance

In our testing, the RT-AX86U Pro delivered impressive numbers:

• 5GHz same room: 780 Mbps
• 5GHz one room away: 540 Mbps
• Latency (same room): 2ms to router
• 2.5G WAN throughput: Full 2.4 Gbps (wired)

Beyond Gaming

Despite the gaming branding, the RT-AX86U Pro is excellent as a general-purpose router. AiProtection Pro provides enterprise-grade security at no extra cost, AiMesh lets you add more ASUS routers for mesh coverage later, and the extensive feature set (VPN server, DDNS, USB file sharing) makes it versatile.

Verdict

If you're a gamer or just want a premium WiFi 6 router with future-proof connectivity, the RT-AX86U Pro is hard to beat. The 2.5G WAN port alone sets it apart. It's an investment, but one that should last 4-5 years easily.